VENICE - The 18th CIMIC Units Commanders’ Conference (CUCC) was held in Venice, Italy from June 3 to 6, 2025, with NATO reaffirming the strategic value of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) as a pivotal enabler for resilience, civil preparedness and mission success.
Brigadier General Editson Zarka, SHAPE ACOS J9, officially opened the event. "CIMIC is not a support asset - it is a strategic capability to anticipate, understand, and engage with the civil environment. His words set the tone for three days of deep discussion and forward-looking planning," said Brigadier General Zarka.
Hosted by the Multinational CIMIC Group (MNCG), the conference brought together over one hundred attendees from 21 nations, including NATO Allies and Partners. The forum featured representatives from NATO’s Command and Force Structures, international organisations, academia, and the private sector - confirming CIMIC’s relevance across all domains.
he 18th CIMIC Units Commanders’ Conference (CUCC) was held in Venice, Italy from Jun. 3 to 6, 2025, with NATO reaffirming the strategic value of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) as a pivotal enabler for resilience, civil preparedness and mission success. - Photo by Multinational CIMIC Group
Colonel Piero Furlan, Commander of MNCG, underlined the role of the Multinational CIMIC Group not only as a training and operational hub, but also as a doctrinal reference point. “CUCC is not just a conference. It’s a strategic compass for the Alliance’s civil-military integration. In Venice, we shape future tools — not just discuss challenges,” said Furlan.
Panels focused on crisis response, civil preparedness, the impact of high-end technologies and artificial intelligence, and the evolution of CIMIC doctrine. A strong emphasis was placed on the integration of new capabilities to support situational awareness and engagement with civilian actors.
CUCC 2025 marked a significant step forward in NATO’s effort to enhance its comprehensive approach, reinforcing CIMIC as a strategic function in a world of growing complexity.